Authorizes the state retirement board to revoke or reduce an individual’s pension benefit if that individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to a felony sex crime related to their public office or public employment.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give Rhode Island's state retirement board the power to reduce or completely take away the pension benefits of public employees and public officials who are convicted of certain serious crimes. Specifically, it applies when someone is found guilty — or pleads guilty or "no contest" — to a felony sex crime that was connected to their government job or position. In other words, if a public employee used their official role or authority in committing the crime, they could lose all or part of the retirement benefits they had earned through their public employment.

The people most directly affected are current and former Rhode Island public employees and officials who participate in the state pension system, including teachers, government workers, police officers, and elected or appointed officials. If convicted of a qualifying felony sex crime tied to their public duties, they would face a hearing before the retirement board, which would then have the authority to decide whether to reduce or fully revoke their pension. This bill does not affect public employees convicted of crimes unrelated to their job or public role.

The bill has been moving through the Rhode Island House of Representatives, with a committee recommending its passage and it being placed on the House Calendar in April 2026. If it becomes law, Rhode Island would join a number of other states that allow pension forfeiture as an additional consequence for serious criminal misconduct by public servants.